Blancpain

On the occasion of its 275th birthday, the watch company Blancpain has launched its novel Villeret collection. It will experience its world premiere at Baselworld 2010. The first watch from this line to be introduced is a new complete calendar moon-phase model, equipped with a secure calendar mechanism and under-lug correctors.

This new assemblage from Blancpain represents a happy marriage of visual appeal and complication, reflecting the very essence of the brand. Noble, refined and elegant as ever, the models from the brand’s new series have been reinterpreted in a contemporary composition, using the benefits of the most modern technologies: Blaincpain devoted several years of intensive efforts to movement development.

The Villeret collection has always been distinguished by its complete calendar moon-phase complication. The Villeret Moon Phase watch from the line relies on a unique manufactory-made self-winding calibre, equipped with a balance wheel, beating at the rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour. It is also endowed with an antimagnetic index assembly, as well as two barrels, which provide a 72-hour power reserve. read more

Blancpain is proud to announce its new timepiece devoted to Pure Love and Femininity. The watch not only boasts a never-seen-before shape. It sparkles with over 500 diamonds and pink sapphires. Moreover, it is equipped with the smallest in the world self-winding movement, Calibre 615.

Specially created for St. Valentine’s Day 2010, the majestic lady’s watch will be available in a limited edition of just 14 pieces.

The dial of the Blancpain St Valentin 2010 watch is performed in white and pink mother-of-pearl in the shape of a heart. The dial is framed by a bezel paved with over 500 diamonds and pink sapphires. At 12 o’clock, you will notice a heart-cut diamond. One more precious detail - the pin buckle sparkles with a pear-like pink sapphire. read more

For the 9th year in a row, Blancpain has participated in the Monaco Yacht Show, one of the most prestigious international yachting events, inspired by its historical ties with the maritime world and an art of living shared with sea-lovers from all over the world.

Blancpain has been honored to welcome H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco aboard Over The Rainbow, restored by the much-regretted Jean-Michel Folon. The remarkable event has also been joined by Pierre Frolla and Gianluca Genoni, holders of several world freediving records.

As a part of the event, Blancpain has offered its support to an action organized in order to raise awareness of the marine fauna and flora among generations to follow. For 50 young pupils from the region, Blancpain has offered a special diving course to last for a week and to be taught by l'Ecole Bleue. With freediver Pierre Frolla in the head, the Monaco-based association works to educate the public, raising awareness of the importance of coastal and underwater areas.

The Monaco Yacht Show '08 has been highlighted by Blancpain unveiling its traditional limited edition timepiece specifically dedicated to the Principality. The Fifty Fathoms Flyback Chronograph, an exclusive all-white edition, has been created in a limited number of just 20 pieces. The pristine white dial of the elegant chronograph watch proudly reveals the Monaco coat-of-arms.

The top-rate Blancpain chronograph is destined for sailing and water sports fans, not to mention collectors and connoisseurs of unique timekeeping creations.
 read more

The brushed DLC-coated (Diamons Like Carbon) steel case of the Blancpain Speed Command Chronograph measures 45 mm in diameter. It offers an advantage of 300-meter water-resistance. read more

On October 28, Blancpain inaugurated a remarkable exhibition devoted to its most famous watch - the Fifty Fathoms. The event took place within the brand’s Boutique on the Place Vendome, Paris.

The exhibition became possible due to the joined efforts of the brand and contributions from numerous collectors from around the world. The accumulated collection boasts a great variety of the Fifty Fathoms watches from 1953 to the present day. After the exhibition in Paris, the collection will travel to China and the United States.

The exhibition allows to drop a glance at more than 60 models that highlighted the history of the Fifty Fathoms. The first Fifty Fathoms watch was born in 1953. It was created on request from the French Navy combat divers unit. Visitors of the exhibition can also see the Fifty Fathoms Flyback Chronograph with Complete Calendar watch released this year. read more

The legendary Blancpain Fifty Fathoms watch joined the world of watchmaking in 1953. It was created on request from French Navy combat divers unit. Over time, the Fifty Fathoms watch became featured on the list of the most famous and reliable diver’s watches. The model has been launched in about twenty different variations.

Paying tribute to the iconic model, Blancpain is releasing the “Tribute to Fifty Fathoms”. The timepiece is limited to 500 pieces and is based on the 1960s model. It has successfully united the signature design of vintage Fifty Fathoms with the most innovative technologies innovations.

The heart of the new Fifty Fathoms watch is an in-house mechanical self-winding movement - Caliber 1315 built from 222 components. The Blancpain watchmakers designed the caliber specifically for the models with a distinctively sporting vocation.
 read more

Blancpain unveils a new version of its iconic 500 Fathoms watch, created specially for Only Watch 2009.

The new Blancpain 500 Fathoms watch for Only Watch 2009 wins the heart by its adventurous nautical spirit, and its strong links with the ocean. The sapphire crystal case back reveals the highly original oscillating shaped as of a boat propeller.

The Blancpain 500 Fathoms incorporates a ratcheted bezel for most comfortable grip. Its unidirectional rotation system avoids any accidental extension of diving time. The bezel is crafted in titanium and scratch-resistant sapphire. Its slightly cambered profile protects it from impacts. The bezel features the luminescent index for great visibility.

The watch has maintained many of the elements of the original Fifty Fathoms launched in 1953. It is developed from innovative materials - the case in titanium, the dial with a carbon fiber center and an insert in blued smoked sapphire glass. read more

The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms watch collection story started in 1952 when Captain 'Bob' Maloubier and lieutenant Claude Riffaud were commissioned by the French Ministry of Defense to form an elite unit of 'Combat Divers'. The captain and lieutenant could not find a watch created to withstand the extreme conditions implied by underwater missions. read more

Blancpain, the oldest watch brand in the world, highly respected for its pioneering spirit and remarkable mechanical expertise, has announced its collaboration with the iconic luxury car-producer, Lamborghini. The partners are closely united by the themes of speed and exclusive mechanics.

The partnership between the companies was sealed in a special ceremony held on October 25th 2008 at the last DTM Grand Prix of the season on the Hockenheim race track in Germany.

The Blancpain-Lamborghini dynamic union is devoted to the technical performances and distinguished aesthetics of the two manufacturers who base their art on tradition and innovation.

The Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo is aimed at motor sports fans, setting the stage for the latest gleaming Gallardo LP560-4 speed machines ready to compete in the fastest and most demanding mono-brand championship.

Starting from Mai 2009, thirty high-powered cars featuring the Blancpain-Lamborghini colors will join the competion on the finest racing tracks in Europe. With 570 HP, 540 N/m and high speeds of over 300 km/h, when you are at the wheel of such a car, it is not just a race against the clock - it is a true challenge to time itself!
 read more

The world famous horological company Blancpain is delighted to bring forth its enthralling Carrousel Repetition Minutes Le Brassus watch.

Two years ago, the brand successfully introduced the Le Brassus one-minute carrousel tourbillon movement into the world of watchmaking. This year, the complicated mechanism has been equipped with a minute-repeater mechanism. In fact, for the Le Brassus model to get the Grand Complication status, the company plans to enrich the movement with a new complication every year.

The Carrousel Repetition Minutes Le Brassus watch introduces an array of innovations to please the eye, the heart and the mind. The cathedral gong minute-repeater is fitted with two sounding rings, which exceed one and a half times the diameter of the movement. They are affixed to the inside of the case for the sound produced to be clearer and stronger.  read more

Blancpain gladly delivers its new Le brassus Erotic Minute Repeater Caroussel one-of-a-kind watch. The novelty amazingly unites a classically-styled front side with an erotic engraving on its bottom.

The new Blancpain watch is set in a round-shaped 18-carat rose gold case. It measures 45mm in diameter and is 16.55mm thick. The front side of the case is protected by a sapphire crystal. Its back part displays a musician with a fiddlestick in his hand, staying behind his naked muse.

Housed in the case is a white dial with applied gold Roman numerals as well as hour and minute hands. Its special attention-getter is a carrousel mechanism, revealed in an opening at 6 o’clock.
 read more

The house of Blancpain presents its new X Fathoms Dive watch. It has been released on the occasion of a spectacular event to be held in the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo in the Dubai Mall - the largest aquarium in the world.

A worthy successor of the brand’s iconic 1953 model, the novelty boasts a mechanical depth gauge, which makes it the most technically advanced diving watch ever created. It is set in a satin-brushed titanium case. The new Blancpain watch features the dimensions of 55.65mm x 24.00 mm: diameter and thickness indicated respectively.

The model is topped by a unidirectional rotating bezel - the brand’s signature element for almost 60 years. Integrated within the case is a helium decompression valve, which allows gas trapped inside the watch during deep dives to safely escape during the ascent. The timekeeping companion is 300-meter water-resistant.
 read more

At Baselworld 2010, the prominent watch company Blancpain was extremely pleased to introduce its breathtaking Semainier Grande Date watch.

A part of the brand’s L-evolution Collection, which experienced its world premiere at Basel in 2009, the new Blancpain watch is instantly identifiable due to its impressive 8-day power reserve complication.

The accurate timekeeping is ensured by the manufactory-made self-winding movement - caliber 37R8G, which incorporates three mainspring barrels and a titanium free-sprung balance. This caliber has a thickness of 7.85 mm and measures 32.00 mm in diameter. Composed of 299 individual parts, the movement is embellished with 46 precious stones. It can be admired through a sapphire crystal case-back.  read more

The horological company Blancpain has delivered its new Le Brassus Carrousel Volant 1 Minute watch.

The originality of the new Blancpain watch lies in a carrousel mechanism, developed by Bahne Bonniksen in 1890. The idea behind this device was to create a complication, which functionality would be close to that of turbillion. The complex development, however, required considerable expenses and therefore was put on hold.

Today, the craftsmen within the Blancpain manufacture have modified the carrousel, bringing it into a contemporary context. They made the cage perform one rotation within 1 minute. Before, this period constituted from 30 to 45 minutes.
 read more

Blancpain, one of the oldest watch brands in the world, is proud to invite all its fans and connoisseurs of exclusive Watchmaking to its new Boutique in Switzerland. This is already the second store of the brand in the country.

The new Boutique is located on the corner of Zurich's renowned Bahnhofstrasse and Paradeplatz. It represents a two-floor 100 square-meter store inviting its visitors to see the exclusive displays of the Blancpain watch collections.

Blancpain Boutiques in Switzerland are an embodiment of the philosophy of the Manufacture in Le Brassus, a village at the far end of the Lac de Joux. Visitors of the stores will be able to feel the same spirit that prevails in the workshops of Blancpain master-watchmakers.

The interior design of the new boutique has been created by a skilled cabinetmaker from the Vallee de Joux. It is inspired by the regional heritage and the Blancpain horological know-how accumulated during the past 270 years.
 read more

The Blancpain Villeret collection welcomes the first half-timezone timepiece with 8-day power-reserve -the Villeret Demi-Fuseau Horaire 8 Jours watch (8 Day Half-Timezone watch). The complicated model allows to adjust the second timezone in 30-minute increments, so that its owner will have no problem with travelling to countries with half-hour time differences.

The heart of the new Blancpain watch is a self-winding movement built from 324 parts - the 5235DF caliber. The mechanism, elaborated by the Manufacture Blancpain in le Brassus, incorporates a triple series-coupled barrel system to guarantee a remarkable 8-day power-reserve and the stable rating.

The balance of the movement is crafted in titanium. The brand’s watchmakers opted for this material as its light weight enhances energy efficiency and it boasts supreme resistance to changes in temperature.
 read more

For the Only Watch 2011 Charity Auction, the house of Blancpain has created its new unique Villeret Grande Decoration watch. All the funds raised will be donated to support the medical research on Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

The new Blancpain watch is delivered in a 45mm case, crafted from red gold. Its back part is equipped with a sapphire crystal. The bottom is also marked with the brand’s name and the Piece Unique Only Watch 2011 inscription. The case handles the depth of up to 30 meters.

Ticking inside the model is an ultra-thin hand-wound caliber 15B movement, distinguished by the refined hand-made decoration. It comprises 117 individual parts, including 20 jewels. The mechanism supplies a 40-hour power reserve.
 read more

The universally famous watchmaking house Blancpain continues its steady march of excellence on European racetracks.

Over the dates of August 16th and 17th, the company’s president & CEO Marc A. Hayek achieved the top podium at Silverstone, the famous British F1 track with the exciting 4th leg of the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo championship held within its framework.

Mr. Hayek and his experienced co-driver Peter Kox successfully steered the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 No. 24 around Silverstone's high-speed curves, which every year bid the defiance to the world's top car and MOTO GP racers. They came in first, making their worthy competitors lag behind.

Mr Hayek was particularly happy about the victory at Silverstone, for he dedicated much of his spare time to improving his skills behind the wheel. The energetic CEO of Blancpain truly enjoyed the competitive spirit of the championship. He also considered a fast and demanding race course to be very stimulating.

In the course of the event both men exposed on their wrists the elegant novel Blancpain Super Trofeo Chronograph watch, which made its original appearance at Baselworld 2009. This watch adapts its sporty shape and design attributes from the shape and interior features inherent to a Lamborghini Gallardo car.

The hidden bridges of the extremely slim F185 chronograph movement coordinate well with the black DLC finishing of the case. The backside of the watch reveals a sapphire crystal exhibition window with a view into the movement.

This acclaimed chronograph caliber is controlled by a friction-reducing vertical clutch in conjunction with an iconic column wheel. The chronograph function with its efficient flyback mechanism enables the wearer to record successive intervals of elapsed time.

The final legs of the 2009 Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Championship will occur at Catalunya in Spain on September 18th through September 20th, as well as on the Paul Ricard track in France from October 2nd through October 4th.
 read more

At Baselworld 2009, Blancpain has proudly premiered new sophisticated timepieces to enlarge the brand’s highly successful L-Evolution collection.

The Blancpain L-Evolution Moon Phase 8 Jours watch demonstrates a newly designed case, measuring 43.5mm in diameter. It has a modular construction to allow the watch owner detach the lugs and in no time substitute a strap or a bracelet. The case is crafted in 18K red gold or stainless steel. It incorporates a screw-down winding crown and boasts 100-meter water-resistance.

The peculiarity of the timepiece is the complete calendar with moon phase complication. The moon phase complication significantly contributed to the revival of mechanical watchmaking in the 1980s and helped Blancpain win the hearts of fine mechanisms’ lovers. read more

The renowned watch-making house Blancpain has opted for the opulent area of the Cannes Boat Show in order to introduce its novel dive timepiece, the 500 Fathoms watch, which is regarded as a sensation in the world of horology. This diving model boasts 1000-meter water-resistance, a completely new feature for the line-up, manufactured by Blancpain.

The release of this exceptional water timepiece, which is everything both fans and collectors can expect from Blancpain in terms of craftsmanship, implies the brand’s entry into the world of acclaimed professional watches intended for divers.

Distinguished by features like a unidirectionally rotating luminous bezel as well as a helium release valve, extremely important for a dive watch, the Blancpain 500 Fathoms watch exposes the core of its structure to be admired through the sapphire crystal case-back display. It refers to the automatic Blancpain-made 1315 caliber, which includes a set of necessary technical components.

The range of technical details embraces a freely-sprung balance wheel with regulating screws, a date display, which can be safely moved forwards or backwards, avoiding the risk of damage to the mechanism, as well as a system of three serially operating mainspring barrels, ensuring a lengthy 5-day power reserve.

The movement excellence is just as well mirrored in its sophisticated decorative finishing, crowned by a special centrally-mounted winding rotor, performed in the shape of a boat propeller.

The watch-making company Blancpain will launch the 500 Fathoms Cannes Boat Show watch as limited series of 20 pieces. The 48mm titanium case of every single Blancpain watch issued will be individually numbered.

The model is accompanied by a nautical canvas strap, exposing a rubber lining, characterized by water- and perspiration-resistance. The rugged yet very attractive strap is finished with an elegant folding clasp.



 read more